asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the fact that all the EEC partners with the exception of Ireland are using science and technology to shape Government policies, particularly regarding medium and long range planning, the Government will now indicate their plans regarding appropriate development targets for this country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Development Targets.
8.
It is incorrect to imply that Ireland is not using science and technology to help in shaping Government policies. The Government avails of the expertise of the National Science Council regarding medium and long term planning. With the intention of increasing the input of science and technology, legislation is being introduced to establish a statutory board for science and technology.
As has already been indicated on a number of recent occasions, the preparation of an economic plan, which will contain development targets, is under way. Full account will, of course, be taken of the contribution that science and technology can make in maximising our development prospects over the period of the plan.
Could I ask the Minister when the new national board will be set up because we heard about it a long time ago from the Minister for Industry and Commerce?
I understand the legislation will be very shortly introduced, probably in this term.